Gold Coast’s Stephanie Gilmore wins spot in surfing’s US Open with victory over Carissa Moore

THE Gold Coast’s own Stephanie Gilmore has beaten world champion Carissa Moore to advance to the quarter-finals of the US Open of surfing.

Stephanie Gilmore surfing at Huntington Beach, California: She has secured a berth in the quarter-finals.

STEPHANIE Gilmore has beaten world champion Carissa Moore to advance to the quarter-finals of the US Open of surfing.

The six-time world champion has not made it past the final eight since returning to the World Surf League tour this year after recovering from a knee injury that cruelled her 2015 chances.

Stephanie Gilmore surfing during the US Open at Huntington Beach.

But the win against Hawaiians Moore and Coco Ho in 0.5-1m conditions at California’s Huntington Beach will bolster the Gold Coaster’s confidence ahead of the finals.

Gilmore beat her rivals convincingly with a two-wave score of 13.6 out of a possible 20 to pitch her rivals into an elimination contest in Round 4 while advancing to the quarter-finals.

“Conditions are pretty difficult out there today so it’s just about catching waves and doing the best with what you’ve got,” Gilmore said.

Stephanie Gilmore has beaten Carissa Moore and Coco Hoho to advance to the quarterfinals in the US.

“I haven’t really had much luck with three-man heats this year so it felt really good to get through that heat, especially against Carissa (Moore) and Coco (Ho).’’

Gilmore will be joined in the final eight by Lennox Head product Tyler Wright, who will bank another strong result in her hunt for a maiden world championship.

Wright beat Hawaii’s Malia Manuel and Australian rookie Kelly Andrew to advance to the final eight.

Current world No. 1 Courtney Conlogue also advanced to the final eight to resume her title battle with Wright, as did fellow American Lakey Peterson, who is enjoying a strong run in her return from an ankle injury.

Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons has been pitched into an elimination battle against American Sage Erickson after losing her Round 3 heat to Peterson.